Abayomi Osisanya: Pizzicato Double Bass Sonata for solo double bass

Performance Notes:

•Notes in the " Slap " part indicate for the performer to slap either the bass strings or the bass body, and it is to the performer's discretion as to which way they decide to slap (whether they slap the bass body or the strings), and when they decide to slap the bass whichever way.

•Notes in the slap part with " * " (one asterisk) over it indicate for the performer to play either the written note in the pizzicato part or slap the bass body or strings on that note, but not both. If the performer would like a challenge, they may try to play both, or try to play these notes as Bartok pizzicatos.

•Notes in the slap part with " ** " (two asterisks) over it indicate that the performer to play a Bartok pizzicato with the corresponding note in the pizzicato double bass part. If the performer cannot play all of said notes as Bartok pizzicatos, they should not play any of these notes as Bartok pizzicatos, but instead, play these notes with an accented feel.

•Notes in the pizzicato part that have " ( ) " (parentheses) around them indicate notes a performer should play only if they have an extension. Otherwise, performers without extensions will play the notes above these notes, written out a n octave above the extension part.

•If this work is ever video recorded, performers (even those who typically place their bow in a bow quiver) should remove any bows from the view of the camera to stay in keeping with the original purpose of this sonata being written (this work was commissioned by a bassist needing music to play during his bow rehair).

•After the end of each movement, the performer may add a single percussive slap to the strings with both hands simultaneously if they so desire. This slap is not required, and is entirely up to the performer's discretion as to whether or not to include it.

About the Composer

Abayomi Osisanya is a music composition major at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), and he studies double bass under Dr. Jack Unzicker and Professor Tyler Shepherd. Within the variety of works he writes, he composes mainly for orchestra and solo double bass, as those are the two areas he's most passionate about. He has played with the UTA Symphony Orchestra since 2019, including their 2023 performance at the Texas Music Educators Association Annual Convention.

His compositions have been performed at the University of North Texas Bradetich Summer Bass camp in 2019, UTA's 24*24 Recitals, and at masterclasses with Bill Clay, Eddie Gomez, Brian Perry, and many other bass players. Recent projects include a symphony and a religiously informed suite of solo double bass pieces. When he is not composing or playing double bass, he enjoys cooking and spending time with his church friends and family.